Saints' woes are set to go

James Gwilt is recovering from a knee injury. Source: News Limited

NEW St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is hopeful of a full list for the NAB Challenge despite a dozen players battling injury complaints in recent months.

Richardson is confident the Saints' injury list is rapidly shrinking, as the likes of James Gwilt (knee), Rhys Stanley (hip/shoulder), Dylan Roberton (ankle) and top draft pick Jack Billings (quad) return to training.

The Saints faced a defensive crisis early last season, and many key defenders are still easing back to training, including Tom Simpkin (shin) and Luke Delaney (hip).

Nathan Wright (shin) and Tom Lee (shoulder) are both not yet in full training, while Jack Newnes (shoulder) and Aaron Siposs (shoulder) have overcome their issues.

SAINTS' STARS REUNITE

But Richardson says the Saints have a key group of about 35 players having completed much of the pre-season, with many of those officially on the injury list also having got through a solid chunk.

No. 3 draft pick Billings tweaked his quad in early December on the club's Colorado training camp and will finally return to full training this week.

Young forward Daniel Markworth, who needed an arthroscope in December after a setback for the ACL rupture he had suffered late in 2012, is not far behind him.

The Saints take on the Western Bulldogs on February 19 in their first NAB Challenge game, then Greater Western Sydney on March 1.

Their Round 1 opener under Richardson is against Melbourne on March 22.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is optimistic his list is taking shape. Picture by Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"We are in pretty good shape, we would be mid-30s (training well), and those guys would have been able to get significant load into them in terms of preparation for a game in a few weeks time,'' Richardson said last week.

"There would be others who aren't in the 35 who are in pretty good shape who would add to that group by the time we get to matches. We will certainly be healthy enough. You can tell when you put them in a game simulation, they are cracking in, they are getting ready to play."

ST KILDA'S BEST 22

Captain Nick Riewoldt has completed a strong pre-season despite being held back from some drills and training.

The 31-year-old is a strong favourite to again be skipper in his 14th season, with fellow veteran Leigh Montagna the only other option for the Saints.

Both players last year signed contract extensions, with new father Lenny Hayes also in great shape for his 16th season.